Signs & Symptoms of Roundworms in Humans

Although the idea of having a worm infection may send prickles up and down your spine, roundworm infections in humans are a reality in many parts of the world. Typically affecting humans in warm, humid areas of the world, roundworms can cause a range of health problems, including malnutrition. Knowing the signs and symptoms of roundworms in humans can help you get more prompt treatment and reduce the chances of health problems.

The Facts

• Also called nematodes, roundworms are parasitic organisms that survive by feeding on other living things, including humans. Most types of roundworms that affect humans travel to your intestinal system, ultimately causing a variety of digestive symptoms and health problems. Roundworm sizes vary, depending on the species; some can only be seen with a microscope, but others are large enough to be detected with your naked eye. Typically, your doctor will check your stool samples for the presence of roundworm eggs to determine a diagnosis.

Types

• Different types of parasitic roundworms may cause symptoms in humans, including pinworms, hookworms and whipworms. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit research medical center in Ohio, pinworms---long, slender roundworms usually located in the rectum or colon---cause more human roundworm infections in the United States than any other roundworm. Hookworms, which can be passed on to humans from dogs, cats or other humans, penetrate your body when you walk barefoot over feces-contaminated soil. Whipworm eggs mature outside of your body and then cause infection when you ingest the eggs in food or drink or through hand contact.

Symptoms

• Signs and symptoms of roundworms in humans vary, depending on the type of roundworm causing the infection. The heavier the roundworm infection, the more severe your symptoms will typically be. Itchiness of the anus or vagina is often the only sign of pinworm infections. Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps and even anemia are symptoms you may experience if you have hookworms. Often without symptoms, whipworm infections may get severe, in which case possible symptoms include weight loss, stomach pain, diarrhea and bloody feces.

Treatment

• If you or your child has been diagnosed with a roundworm infection, your doctor will typically prescribe anthelmintics (drugs that expel roundworms from your body) to control and manage the infection. Possible choices (depending on the roundworm causing the infection) include albendazole, levamisole and pyrantel. Your doctor will determine the dosage based on the strength of the roundworm infection. According to the World Health Organization, women in the first trimester of pregnancy and children younger than age one year cannot be treated with these drugs.

Prevention/Solution

• Because roundworms in humans can lead to malnutrition and developmental problems, prevention is key to reducing your chances of developing an infection. Many instances of roundworm symptoms occur as a result of poor hygiene, so practicing good hygiene habits such as regular hand washing, especially after using the bathroom, is very important. Sanitary disposal of human waste, changing clothes regularly and taking frequent baths also help reduce instances of roundworm infections in humans. Children are particularly susceptible to roundworm infection because they often put their hands in their mouths and play in the dirt regularly, so be sure to encourage your little one to practice good hygiene habits as well.